Kebetkache Women Development & Resource Centre has called for advocacy for increased development programming for women economic power.
This call was made through a press statement made available to NatureNews on Tuesday, calling on women to speak against the effects of climate change, particularly in light of this year’s devastating floods.
The NGO cited the report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) that 1.3million persons were affected by the 2022 flooding, 603 persons reported death and over 108,393 hectares of farmlands destroyed.
“This year’s flooding is worst hit Nigeria has experienced, as it has created humanitarian crises and compounded the economic challenges in the affected area.
“In Rivers state, the floods were ferocious and brutal, residents of several communities in located along the sea banks of Orashi River and its tributaries were sacked. In Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni local government area of Rivers state, over 20 communities were submerged by the flood and for the agrarian communities, this indicates grave danger for food security as their farmlands were washed away,” the statement added.
As a result of these impacts, the NGO and its allied community women organizations is marking the Niger Delta Women’s Day of Action for Environmental Justice on December 17, 2022.
The Women’s Day of Action for Environmental Justice contributes to the building of a grassroots eco-feminist movement in the Niger Delta.
The convergence to mark the 7th Day of Action will bring together women from the Niger Delta states and will hold on 19th December 2022 in Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
The forum aims at intensifying its campaigns on Climate Change and the harmful effects that the damaging oil and gas extraction development model has on women in the area.
The statement further noted that the campaign has contributed to strengthening solidarity building among groups across the communities, amplifying women’s voices on the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA), oil revenue benefits (13% derivation fund).
The Day of Action marked by women since 2016 has contributed to increased women’s voices for accountability and transparency in the oil and gas sector.